How many of us actually learn how to do this? I'm 44 years old and I'm not sure I'm doing it right or at all. I have convictions, beliefs, ideals, and I adhere to those bigger ideals. But on a day-to-day basis, I feel as though I'm playing catch up.
But I know at least one person who is living authentically. My child. I'm not talking about Nadia, for once. I'm talking about my other child, Damian.
I am a mother to a transgender person. Maya is now Damian.
It has been quite a trip for the past 6 months since HE came out to us. I have struggled with the thought of now having a son. That is a topic for another post though. For 16 years, I was the mother of two girls who were as different as can be. Now I come to find out one of those girls doesn't feel right presenting as a girl. Doesn't want to hide who he really is anymore.
The amount of courage that takes is tremendous. I am in awe of the strength of character this takes. I am happy to know that I had something to do with the building of that strength. I am thrilled to realize that we created a bond that allowed Damian to trust us with his true self even if that true self wasn't manifested on the outside physical being.
I recently saw this:
It is so true. I had no idea about my own child. But the flip side of this is also true: All parents should be aware that when they express support for LGBTQ issues, may be supporting their own child. I'd like to think that whenever I posted something in support of LGBTQ rights or condemned violence or oppression of the LGBTQ community, I was showing my child that our family is a safe place to be who you truly are. A place to truly live authentically.
I am a proud parent to a transgender individual.
We all have choices in our lives regarding the person we grow into. I'm so very proud of the person you are choosing to become and I love you always, Damian.
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